Buck teeth can be frustrating and even embarrassing. This type of overbite can vary in severity from person to person, so some people are especially bothered by their buck teeth, while others don’t even notice the problem.
Fortunately, buck teeth can be corrected if you’re working with a dental professional with experience. Whether you’re a child or an adult with buck teeth, understanding the problem and seeking treatment can improve your quality of life.
What Are Buck Teeth?
Buck teeth is a form of an overbite wherein the front teeth protrude out over the lower teeth. This condition can be hereditary. Buck teeth can cause complications to your teeth, jaw, or tongue. Some people choose to do nothing about their buck teeth, while others may seek help.
Causes
Although buck teeth can be hereditary, there are other causes as well. Causes include:
- Thumb sucking and pacifier sucking
- Position of the tongue in the mouth (if it is too far forward)
- Genetically smaller jaw (this results in a natural overbite)
- Misalignment of the teeth that alters the position of the jaw and causes an overbite look
Symptoms of Buck Teeth/Overbite
Buck teeth can have a variety of negative effects. First and foremost, buck teeth can affect speech and cause speech impediments. Buck teeth can also cause breathing issues, pain when chewing or biting, chewing deficiencies, changes to the face, and damage to the teeth and gums.
Treatments
An overbite can be a severe condition, but there may be no need for treatment if there are no issues that impact your daily life. Your orthodontist can help you decide whether your buck teeth require treatment. If your teeth do warrant treatment, your dental professional may recommend any one of the following treatments:
Braces
Braces are used to change the shape of the jaw and the alignment of the teeth. Braces work slowly over the course of many months, and when they’ve done their job, a retainer may help keep the jaw in alignment until the transformation is complete.
Braces are a tried-and-true dental technology that has been used for decades. They have the advantage of being relatively affordable compared to some other solutions. However, braces are very noticeable compared to clear aligners. This makes some people less reluctant to get braces simply because they’d prefer to have a less obvious solution.
Aligners
Clear aligners are similar to braces in that they help align the teeth. They slip over the teeth and slowly change the shape of the jaw and the teeth over time. Clear aligners have a definite advantage over braces in that they are clear, so they are far less noticeable. They do have some downsides – namely, they’re more costly than standard braces, and they can affect speech slightly.
Surgery
Surgery is an option that most dental professionals will not pursue as a first choice simply because it is invasive and requires a recovery time. However, in some cases, surgery is the best option to correct buck teeth. Surgery is used on people who have stopped growing, so not all patients are good candidates for this treatment.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction can make more room in the mouth for the teeth. Once teeth are extracted, braces can be used to align the teeth properly and correct the overbite.
It’s important to note that overbite doesn’t need to be treated unless discomfort follows as a result. If you have an overbite, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene and check up with your dentist on a regular basis, especially if you’re young and your overbite is still developing. Your dental professional can help you determine whether you will need treatment for your overbite in the future.
Laster Orthodontics
Laster Orthodontics has been labeled “the best orthodontist in The Triangle” (according to WRAL voters). See what we mean in our Smile Gallery – our patients see results! To find out whether braces are a good option for your overbite, contact Dr. Laster. You don’t have to live with dental discomfort.
At Laster Orthodontics, we help families develop healthy, life-changing smiles using customized treatments, cutting-edge technologies, and caring relationships. Our individualized treatment plans help our patients achieve their perfect smile in the quickest, most painless way possible by utilizing a wide range of options from traditional braces to propel accelerated treatment to Dr. Laster’s in-house aligner program, Laster Perfect Smile. With three locations throughout the Triangle Area, we create life-changing smiles every day.